Oil burner



Dec. 8 1925. 1,564,592

H. W. LASTER OIL BURNER Filed Aug. 9, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y ATE R5UPPLY I v ja/@N/UP WW/y Zd. mier* H. W. LASTER OIL BURNER Filed Aug. 9,1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY W'. LASTER, GF OAK PARK, lLLINOl'S, ASSIGNOR 0F THIRTY-THREE ANDONE- THIRD PER CENT TO JOI-1N E. BYRON, OF CHCAGO, ILLINOIS, AND FIFTEENAND TWO-THIRDS PER GENT TO MICHAEL J". ROYCE, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

OEL BURNER.

Application tiled August 9, 1924.

Be it known that I, Hanni.' lV. Liis'rnn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Oak larlc, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in OilBurners, of which the following is a specification.

rthis invention relates to improvements in oil burners and one of theobjects of the same is to provide an improved oil burning aliiparatus inwhich means are provided to preheat the oil to thin it so that the oilwill atomize freely and more completely.

A. further object is to provide an improved burner having associatedtherewith means for maintaining a water column from which water issupplied, to be generated into steam to be atomized with oil; and alsoan improved air cushion co-operatingl with the column of Water so thatpulsation of the supply of Water and steam will be prevented. i

ik further object is to provide improved means for removing impuritiesfrom the water and steam.

A further object is to provide improved means for preheating the airbefore it is mixed with the fuel.

A further object is to provide an improved oil burning apparatus `ofthis character which will be of a simple, durable, and compactarrangement and which will be ell'ective and eiiicient in operation.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features ofnovelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangementof the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed andshown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and inwhich;

lligure 1 is a vieu' partly in vertical section and partly `in elevationof an apparatus of this character constructed in accordance With theprinciples of this invention and showing the same in connection ivith afurnace.

ldigure 2 is a detail sectional view taken on line 2 2 Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the nozzle.

Figure -l is a vieiv partly in elevation and partly in section of thenozzle and the means Serial No. 731,031.

for supplying preheated air to the nozzle to support combustion.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view partly in section and partly inelevation of the coupling at the junction of the nozzle and air pipes.

The apparatus consists of a closed chamber or column 1() for maintaininga column of water 11, Which latter may be supplied to the chamberpreferably at the bottom thereof through an inlet 12 controlled by a`check valve 13. A controlling valve 1li may be provi-ded in the supplypipe 15 for controlling the supply of Water to the chamber 10. The Wateris supplied to this chamber preferably under the city pressure, and whenthe water enters the chamber 10 it will confine and compress a quantityof air 1G at the top of the chamber 10, so as to form a cushion for thecolumn of Water and place the column under fluid pressure. This ivillcause the Water to flow from the chamber 10 through the outlet 17 underpressure to a vaporizing pipe 18 which latter has communication with avaporizing coil 19.

The other end of the coil 19 has communication With a pipe 2O throughWhich steam is conducted into a chamber 21. Interposed between thechamber 21 and the chamber 10 is acombined steam and Water chamber 22which has communication with the pipe 18 through an outlet J3 in thechamber 22, through the medium of a pipe 24, in which latter may bearranged a check valve 25. The pipe 24 also has comiminication With thechamber 10. The check valve 25 is set to maintain the Water level in thechamber 22 above the outlet 23, until the pressure inl the chamber 22upon the water therein is sufficient to unseat the valve 25 byovercoming the pressure or head on the column of Water 11 in the`chamber 10. When the valve 25 is unseated Water from the chamber 22will flow through the outlet 23 past the valve 25 and into thevaporizing pipe 18. A pipe 26 telescopes with the chamber 21 and extendstherebeyond and is of an external diameter considerably less then theinternal diameter of the chamber 21 and into which latter it extends, toform a tortuous passage for the 'steam from the chamber 21 and whichsteam enters the chamber 21 through the pipe 201. The pipe 26 extendsinto the Cil chamber `2l through one Wall thereo't to a point in closeproximity to but spaced trom the .opposite wall ot the chamber, so asnot to interfere with the passage et the steam into the pipe 26 t'romthe ohamber 2l.

The portion of the pipe 26 which extends into the chamber 22 terminatesabove the ivater level in the Chamber and l'orms a communication betweenthe Chambers 2l and 22. The steam discharged from the pipe 26 into thelehainber 22 will be delivered do\\.f'n\vardly and against the vvaterContained in this chamber. This action or Contact of .the steam iviththe body oli Water will operate to separate all impurities from thesteam and the Water.

A nozzle designated generally by the reterenee numeral 2T is arranged todiseharge into a furnace 28, preterably through 'the elinker door 29Yabove the grate bars Si). The nozzle l27 (see particularly Figure El)may be provided with a plurality ot die Charge outlets 3l and theinterior ot t body ot the nozzle `is preferably ot a venturiconstruction Connected with the nozzle so as to discharge ther into isz.. pipe B3 for conductingsteam to the nozzle jrom the chamber 22. Thispipe 3? has communication With the Chamber 22 preferably adja- Cent thetop thereof and may be provided With a suitable controllingvalve 3ft toront-rol the flow of steam therethrough. Conneetel also with the nozzle27 and disehargring,- thereinto is a pipe 3l :tor supplyiiur oil to thenozzle. As the steam is delivered through the pipe 33 into the nozzle 2?and as it passes through the nozzle, it Will be manifest that as thesteam expands in the nozzlepit Will create a suetion in the pipe Sli.Oil-Will then be dravm in through this pipe 3a" and will be atomizedwith the steam 'and delivered through the diseharge outlets l3l of thenozzle, into the lire boxY ot theilui`- nace. u 'Eneompassing thechamber 2l is chamber or V'passage 35 which is ot an interior diametersomewhat greater than the exteriordiameter ot the chamber 2l and is out.of ,eomn'iunieation With the Chamber 21.. The pipe 34: hascommunication with the chamber `preferably adjacent the top thereofn andremote trom the end of the chamber 2l,.and Which latter Chamber telescoes IVith the chamber l# icontrol valve 36 may be prorided in the pipe3st for .controlling the supply ot' oil to the nozzle 27.

Oil is supplied to the Chamber from any suitable source ot supplythrough a pipe 37, Which has communication with the Chamber preferablyat the bot-tom of the latter. As the oil enters the chamber through thepipe 37, it Will flow between the Walls oit the chambers S1 ant. andaround .the chamber .2l and as the latter is heated by the steam fromthe eoil l). it vvill be manifest that the oil in 'liowing through theChamber Will be heated before it enters the pipe to be delivered to thenozzle 2T.

Si cheek valve 38 may be provided in the pipe 37, and it desired a cleanout valve or roel: 39 may be provided for the steam and vvater Chamber22 to remove sediment therefrom.

lt is thought the operation o this portion ot the apparatus will beclearly understool troni the :foregoing` dest'riptioii but brieflystated it is as tollovvs.

Vater is supplied to the ehan'iber lO through the pipe l5. and thecolumn oit -vfater vvill compress the air l() so that when the valve letis closed the column ot vv'ater ll will be under a constant pressure.The pressure upon the column ot water ll causes the water to flou'through the outlet 17 into the pipe i8, and to the eoil it) Where it iseonverted into steam. T he steam or vapor then passes through the pipe20 into the chamber 2l, and through the pipe 2S to be delivered into thechamber 22, against the atei in the Chamber 22. The steam contacting`with this body ot ivater will raus-:e the impurities to be separated anddeposited or precipitated in the chamber 22, from which they may beremove( through the elean out eoelr 39.

uLinder normal conditions the valve 25 Wi l be maintained Closed by thepressure of the column of liquid ll and ot the air lo, against thepressure ol: the steam in the rhamber 22 upon the water in the latter.As the Column oit liquid ll is consumed and as the height ot the columnfalls, aided by the expansion ot the air 16` until the Column ll is ofsueh a height that ivater Will not be supplied therefrom to the pipeltl, through the outlet l?, the valve 25 will be unseated by thepressure in the Chamber 22, so as 'to allow the water in the ehamber 22to `flou' througli the outlet 23 into the pipe tl9 thereby maintaining`a supply of water to the coil lato be vaporized.

The Water is replenished in the chamber 22 by condensation. ils thesteam is Flowing,` through the chamber 2l to the chamber 22, oil Will besupplied to the Chamber 35 through the pipe 237 and will be drawnthrough the pipe 3lto the nozzle 2? by the suction created in the nozzleby the steam passing` through the venturi 52.

lt will be noted that before any ot the steam which has been `ogeneratedin the coil 19. reaches the nozzle 27, it must be delivered into thechamber 22. The delivery ot the steam into the Chamber 22 and theCoutaet of the steam with the water `in this chamber Will operate asseparator tor separating` the impurities from the steam auf! the Water.

Bitter the apparatus has been once ad justed to supply the desired andproper'- tionate quantities of steam and oil to the nozzle, it will bemanifest that the apparatus will'be automatic in its action, and thewater in the chamber 22 will serve as a reserve supply of water to beautomatically used when the supply l1 in the column or chamber l() hasbeen sutiiciently reduced or consumed.

Fire brick 39 ai'e preferably arranged within the fire box 40 above thegrate bars 30, and are preferably provided with a curved or arched face4l so'shaped that the products of combustion issuing from the nozzle 27will be directed against the faces 4l to cause the products ofcombustion to swirl about in the tire box.

Any suitable means may be provided for preheating and supplying heatedair to support combustion within the lire box. A suitable and eflicientmeans consists of pipes 42 connected to the inlet ends of each of whichis an open bell shaped member 43. These members 43 rest upon the gratebars 30 and have communication with some of the openings 44 between thegrate bars. The members 43 are preferably located at the rear of thegrate and on opposite sides of the tire box 40. The pipes 42 arch abovethe grate bars and extend forwardly to the front of the lire box. Theforward ends of these pipes 42 extend downwardly as at 45 (seeparticularly Figure 4) and. terminate adjacent the nozzle 2T. The pipes45 are connected with a cross like coupling 46 so that air in the pipewill be discharged thereunto and then into the lire box through theopening 47 arranged in alinement with the opening 48 and into whichlatter opening the nozzle 2T projects. The fuel being dischargml fromthe nozzle passes out of the opening 47 into the lire box and willentrain or create a forced draft for the air through the pipes 42.

A covering 49 preferably in the form of sheet metal is placed upon thegrate bars $30 so as to close all of the openings 44 between the gratebars, with the exception of the openings that communicate with the bellshaped members 43.

With this construction it will be manifest that any air which enters theire box 40 will `flow from the ash pit 50 through the openings 44, bellshaped members 43, into the pipes 42 and through the pipes 45 to bedischarged through the opening 47 in the coupling 4G. This will causethe air to be preheated before it is delivered into the lire box, andwill create a forced draft through the pipes 42. Furthermore bypreheating the air a roaring sound'of the nozzle will be prevented.

The pipes 42 are preferably arranged that they will serve a support forthe vaporizing coil 19.

lith this improved apparatus the oil supply is heated so as to thin theoil before it is delivered to the nozzle, with the result that the oilwill atomize more freely and` completely.

By the provision of the water column which is maintained under airpressure, the air will serve as a cushion and will prevent pulsation ofthe supply of water and steam, and especially of steam.

lVhile the preferred form of the invention have been herein shown anddescribed, it .is to be understood that various changes may be made intl e details of construction and in the combination and arrangement ofthe several parts within the scope of the claims wit-hout departing fromthe spirit of this invention.

that is claimed as new is l.. An oil burning apparatus including meansfor maintaining a column of water, air cushioning means for the watercolumn, a nozzle, a heating coil leading from the water column tovaporize the water, a receiver also connected with said coil formaintaining a reserve supply of water, means automatically controllingthe delivery of the water from the reserve supply to the heating` coil,means for delivering vapor to the nozzle, means for delivering oil tothe nozzle, and means for preheating the oil before it is delivered tothe nozzle.

2. An oil burning apparatus including means for maintaining a column ofwater, a vaporizer connected at one end with the said water column, acombined steam and water chamber with which the vaporizer also hascomn'iunication, a valved connection between the said water column andthe said chamber, a nozzle, a connection between the said chamber andthe nozzle to deliver vapor to the latter, and means for supplying` oilto the nozzle.

Si. An oil burning` apparatus including means for maintaining` a columnof water, a vaporizer connected at one end with the said water column, acombined steam and water chamber with which the vaporizer also hascommunication, a valved connection between the said water column and thesaid chamber, a nozzle, a connection between the said chamber and the.nozzle to deliver vapor to the latter, and means for supplying oil tothe nozzle, the said connection between the vaporizer and the saidchamber including means for preheating the oil before it is delivered tothe said nozzle.

4. .An oil burning apparatus including means for maintaining a column ofwater, a vaporizer connected at one end with the said water column, acombined steam and water chamber with which the vaporizer also hascommunication a valved connection between the said water column and thesaid chamber, a nozzle, a connection between the lil() lll) said chamberand the nozzle to deliver vapor to the latter, means for supplying` oilto the nozzle, and means individual to the vapor and the oil suppliesfor controlling them.

5. fin oil burning apparatus including means for maintaining` a columnof vfater, a vaporizing pipe leading` from the said Water column, acombined water and steam chamber, automatically operating means normallyclosing the connection between the said pipe and the water and steamchamber, said chamber having communication with the said. vaporizingpipe above the Water level in the chamber, a nozzle, a connectionbetween the nozzle and the said chamber above the ivater level in thechamber, and

- means for su a )l fino oil to the nozzle.

6. An oil burning apparatus including means for maintainii'ig a columnof Water, a vaporizing pipe leading from the said Water column, acombined ivater and steam chamber, a connection betiveen the said pipeand the Water column and chamber, said chamber having communication withthe said.vaporizing` pipe above the vvater level in the chamber, anozzle, a connection between the nozzle and the said chamber above thewater level in the chamber, and means for supplying` oil to the nozzle,a portion of the connection between the said if'aporizing pipe and thesaid chamber' serving to prehcat the oil before it reaches the nozzle.

7. An oil burning apparatus including means for maintaining a watercolumn, a nozzle, means for conveying water from the column and vaporingthe Water, means for conveying the vapor to the nozzle, the last recitedmeans including means for causing the vapor to impinge a body of Waterdifferent from the said column for removing impurities in the Water, andmeans for delivering oil to the said nozzle.

8. An oil burning apparatus including means for maintaining a Watercolumn, a nozzle, means for conveying water from the column andvaporizing` the Water, means for conveying the vapor to the nozzle, thelast recited means including means for causing the vapor to impinge abody of Water different from the said column for removing impurities inthe Water, means for delivering oil to the said nozzle, the secondrecited means including an oil heater, means for supplying oil to theoil heater, and means for conducting the heated oil from the said heaterto the said. nozzle.

9 An oil burning apparatus including means for maintaining a column ofwater, a conduit for conveying` water from the said column andvaporizing the Water, a Water chamber, a nozzle, a connection betweenthe water chamber and the said conduit for automatically supplyingvvater to the said conduit, means for discharging the vapor into thesaid chamber and against the body of ivater therein, a connectionbetween the said chamber above the Water level thereof and the saidnozzle, for conveying vapor to the nozzle, and means for supplying oilto the nozzle l0. sin oil burning apparatus including means formaintaining a. column of water, a conduit for conveying Water from thesaid column and vaporizing` the Water, a Water chamber, a nozzle, aconnection between the water chamber and the said conduit forautomatically supplying water to the said conduit, means fordischarging` the vapor into the said chamber and against the body otwater therein, a connection betvveen the said chamber above the waterlevel thereof and the said nozzle for conveying vapor to the nozzle, andmeans for supplying oil to the nozzle, a portion of the last recitedcon- L ection serving as a` heater to preheat the oil before itdelivered to the said nozzle.

1l. An oil burning apparatus including a water cl amber for receivingand condensing vapor produced from a separate Water supply to produce aquantity of water in said chamber, a vaporizing pipe, said pipelie-.vingl an outlet having communication vfith the said chamber abovethe Water level therein, a nozzle, means for conveying;` and delivering`vapor from the said chamber to the said nozzle, and means for supplyingoil to the nozzle.

l2. An oil burning apparatus including a water chamber for receiving andcondensin;=` vapor therein produced from a separate iva'ter supply toproduce a quantity of water in said chamber, a vaporizing pipe, saidpipe having an outlet having con'imunicatimi with the said chamber abovethe water level therein, a nozzle, means for conveying and delivering,rvapor from the said chamber to the said nozzle, and means for supplyingoil to the nozzle, a portion of the last recited means encompassing` aportion of the said vaporizing` pipe for preheating` the oil.

13. An oil burning apparatus incliuling a water chamber, a vaporizingconduit leading from the chamber and back into the chamber and causingthe vapor to impinge the Water therein and above the Water level in thechamber, a nozzle, means for conveying vapor from the said chamber tothe nozzle and means for delivering` oil to the nozzle, the last saidmeans including provisions for conducting the vapor through the supplyof oil and out of comminglingrelation therewith during the passage ofthe oil to the said nozzle.

14. An oil burning apparatus including means for maintaining a column ofwater under l'luid pressure, a nozzle, means for conveying water fromthe column and vaporizing the Water, means for conveying the vapor tothe nozzle, the last recited means including means for impinging thevapor lll the

l5. An oil burning apparatus including' means for maintaining a columnot water under fluid pressure, a nozzle, means ior conveying water fromthe column and vaporizing the water, means for conveying the vapor tothe nozzle, the last recited means including means vfor impinging thevapor against a body of water for removing impurities in the l'luid,means for delivering oil to the said nozzle., and means 'for preheatingthe oil by the vapor betere the latter discharged against the said bodyoi' 'weten 1G. in oil burning apparatus including a closed water chamberfor maintaining a column oit water under air pressure, a seeond waterchamber, a conmiunication be tween the. chambers, a normally closed andautomatically actuated uilve tor controlling said communication, avaporizing pipe leading from the chambers and discharging into the saidsecond water chamber above the liquid lever therein, a nozzle, acommunication between the nozzle and the said ond water chamber abovethe water level in the latter, and an oil supply conduit leading to thenozzle.

17. An oil burning apparatus including a closed water chamber formaintaining a column ot water under air pressure, a second waterchamber, a communication between the chambers, a normally closed andautomatically actuated valve for controlling said communication, avaporizing pipe leading from the chambers and discharging into the saidsecond water chamber above the liquid level therein, a nozzle, acommunication between the nozzle and the said second water chamber abovethe water level in the latter, and an oil supply conduit leading to thenozzle, a portion of the said oil supply conduit encompassing a portionoi the said vaporizing pipe.

18. An oil burning apparatus including means for maintaining a column ofwater under air pressure, a second water chamber, a communicationbetween the chambers, a normally closed and automatically actuated valvefor controlling' said communication, a vaporizing pipe leading from thechambers and discharging' into the said second water chamber above thewater level therein, a nozzle, a communication between the nozzle andthe said second water chamber above the water level in the latter, anoil supply leading to the nozzle, and means for preheating a supply ofair to be delivered to the nozzle.

i9. An oil burning apparatus including means iior maintaining a columnoiI water under air pressure, a second water chamber, a communicationbetween the chambers, a

the

normally closed and automatically actuated valve for controlling saidcommunication, a vaporizing pipe leadingfrom the chambers anddischarging into the said second water chamber above .the water leveltl'ierein a nozzle, a communication between the nor/.zie and thesaidsecond water chamber above the water level in the latter, an oil supplyleading to the nozzle, means for preheating the oil betere it deliveredto the nozzle, and mean.. for preheating a supply oi air to be deliveredto the nozzle.

20. An oil burning apparatus including a water chamber, a vaporizingpipe leading from the chamber and discharging back into the chamberabove the water level to cause the vapor to impinge the water therein, anozzle, means for conveying vapor from the said chamber to the nozzle,and means for delivering a supply of preheated oil to the nozzle, thelast recited means including an oil receiving chamber or conduit intowhich a portion ot the said vaporizing pipe telescopes.

2l. ln combination with a heater having a iire chamber and a grate, anoil burning apparatus including means for vaporizing and dischargingfuel into the lire box and including a nozzle, air pipes coveringportions ot the grate bars and having open communication with the spacesbetween the grate bars, and means covering the remaining area of thegrate bars to close the spaces therebetween, to prevent the passage oi'air `through the last recited spaces, the said air pipes terminating'-and having discharge outlets adjacent the said nozzle.

22. ln combination with a heater having a fire chamber and a grate, anoil'b'urning apparatus including means for vaporizing and dischargingfuel into the lire box and including' a nozzle, air pipes coveringportions of the grate bars and having open communication with the spacesbetween the grate bars, and means covering the remaining area of thegrate bars to close the spaces therebetween to prevent the passage ofair through the last recited spaces, the said air pipes terminating andhaving discharge outlets adjacent the said nozzle, the said air pipesserving as a support for the said vaporizing means.

In combination with a heater, a grate therein, air pipes having openbell shaped extremities resting upon the grate and having communicationswith the spaces between the grate bars, means covering the remainingarea of the grate to close the spaces between the grate bars to thepassage of air therethrough, and a vapor nozzle discharging into thefire box above the grate, said air pipes having discharge outletsadjacent the said nozzle.

241;. ln combination with a heater, a grate therein, air pipes havingopen bell shaped llO CIK

exti'eineties resting uponvthe grate zindha'ving communication with thespa-ees between the grate bars, means-Covering' the remaining area,- oJthe grate to close the spaces between the grate bars to the passage4 ofair therethrough, and :i vapor nozzle discharging into the lire boxabove the grate, said air pipes arching above the grate and* nozzle :indhaving); discharge outlets adjcent the' nozzle.

25. In combination with wheater, :i grate therein, zur plpes having`enlarged inlet ends resting,r upon the grate und communicating with thespaces between the grate bars, means covering the remaining area ol thegrate to close the spaces therebetween, ay nozzle, said air pipesarching above lche grate and nozzle, and a. vaporizing pipe supported bythe nir pipes,l said air pipes having` discharge outlets `adjacent thesaidnozzle..

In testimony whereof I have signed my nume to this specieation, on this31st day olJnly, A. Il. 1924'.

HARRY IV. LAS'ER.

